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Meet our Panelist
Impact of Endometriosis on Reproductive Health in African American
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Founder and CEO of Public Health Jawn LLC
Christine M. Ivery, MPH, CHES is dedicated to addressing inequities in healthcare and mitigating issues within the Black infant and maternal mortality crisis. Her passion is to help all walks of life through disease and disparity prevention, as well as to make an impact in the communities she serves.
As Founder and CEO of Public Health Jawn LLC, Christine provides consulting and coaching to various organizations within the field. As an extension to work at PHJ, she connects a community of professionals through in-person collaboration and networking as well as, increasing awareness of critical health topics on her podcast, Public Health Gems.
Christine has recently been appointed as Program Officer at the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) where she secures implementation of the program objectives and cultivates networks to effectively address barriers that affect maternal health outcomes. Christine instructs as a Children’s Health Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson University and has previously lectured as a Public Health Adjunct Professor at Lasalle University.
Christine has presented at local and national forums such as the American Heart Association, University of Pennsylvania, Health Connect One, American Public Health Association, March of Dimes, Association of Maternal Child Health Programs (AMCHP), and shared a 2022 TEDx Talk entitled “Igniting Change in the Black Maternal Mortality Crisis".
Christine serves as a Community Health Planning and Policy Development (CHPPD) Governing Counselor for the American Public Health Association (APHA). She is a proud New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance Advisory Board Member, Philly Birth Fund Board Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Social Justice platform member, and ForbesBLK member. Christine has been awarded by the APHA CHPPD 2022 Excellence in Collaboration Award and recognized as a 2023 Drexel University 40 Under 40 Honoree.
Christine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science- Kinesiotherapy from Norfolk State University, a Master's degree from Drexel University in Public Health, and Health Education Specialist Certification (CHES).
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Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon
Latasha N. Murphy, M.D., FACOG, is a skilled Board Certified gynecologist and surgeon in The Gynecology Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Her pleasant and warm personality puts patients at ease. This allows for open conversation and a plan tailored to each patient’s needs. Dr. Murphy has been recognized by her peers as a “Top Doctor” in Baltimore magazine.
Dr. Latasha Murphy performs annual Well-Woman exams and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of routine and complex GYN conditions including endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, irregular period cycles and abnormal bleeding. Dr. Latasha Murphy is dedicated to providing compassionate care and the best treatment options available for GYN conditions. She engages with each patient to provide individualized care and determine the optimal treatment plan.
Dr. Murphy is experienced in performing diagnostic procedures, such as colposcopy, to help determine an accurate diagnosis.She has advanced training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, including robotic surgery, for endometriosis, uterine fibroids and other conditions of the female genital tract.
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Registered Nurse
Tiffany Davis Nazaire, MSN, RN-BC, CPEN, CPN , a native of Birmingham, AL, is a triple-board certified Registered Nurse with 17 years of experience. She is the Founder of Channeling Qi Health and Wellness and resides with endometriosis.
With a professional journey marked by thriving with endometriosis and overcoming a prolonged recovery from COVID, Tiffany's passion is to extend holistic healing to individuals facing similar challenges. Channeling Qi Health and Wellness represents the convergence of traditional nursing and alternative therapies, providing a distinctive approach to healing and well-being.
In her role as a Functional Medicine Practitioner, Certified Reiki Practitioner, Meditation Coach & Facilitator, and Holistic Health & Wellness Coach, Tiffany focuses on assisting women dealing with endometriosis, fibroids, PCOS, fertility challenges, and other reproductive conditions. Her approach involves healing the body without relying on toxic hormones or costly and painful treatments, while also preserving fertility.
Beyond individual support, Tiffany utilizes these modalities to educate, support, and guide individuals in alleviating the effects of stress and chronic conditions, working towards their holistic health goals. Complementing her services, she offers self-made organic products designed to enhance the healing experience.
As clients progress in improving their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being, Tiffany envisions a transformation that extends to various aspects of their lives. The overarching goal is to empower others to achieve lives filled with joy, abundance, and love by embracing holistic practices and creating success in every area of life.
Breakout Session One
Research and Innovation in Endometriosis
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Associate Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health
Jhumka Gupta, ScD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health within the College of Health and Human Services. Her research program applies a social epidemiology framework toward advancing the science of gender-based violence against women and girls (e.g. intimate partner violence, sex trafficking). Specifically, she investigates the mental and reproductive health implications of gender-based violence and conducts intervention studies aimed at reducing violence against women.
Her primary focus is with vulnerable populations, both within and outside of the United States, and includes refugees, immigrants, and communities impacted by conflict. She has authored or co-authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications on these topics. She also serves as Associate Editor of BMC International Health and Human Rights. Before coming to Mason, Dr. Gupta was an Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Public Health. Dr. Gupta has more recently applied her social epidemiology towards examining menstrual justice, including stigma due to endometriosis-related disruptions as well as period poverty and mental health. She recently received an $800,000+ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services grant to examine the impact of a game-based intervention to reduce the stigma of chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis.
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Physician and Scientist
Dr. Gueye-Weinstein is a highly respected and renowned OBGYN, board-certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She completed her rigorous training at Johns Hopkins, one of the most prestigious medical institutions in the world. Her expertise in the field of OBGYN has earned her recognition as one of the top doctors in both the United States and internationally. Dr. Gueye-Weinstein is sought after as a tertiary referral for second opinions and challenging cases.
What sets Dr. Gueye-Weinstein apart is not just her exceptional medical skills, but also her warmth, compassion, and unmatched bedside manner. Patients describe her as an attentive listener who genuinely cares about their overall well-being. She aims to fully understand her patients' health picture, allowing her to provide optimal outcomes tailored to each individual. In addition to her extensive medical training, Dr. Gueye-Weinstein has pursued further education in herbal and functional medicine. She understands the importance of a root cause-oriented approach to medical care.
Dr. Gueye-Weinstein is not only a dedicated physician but also a mother, an author, and the founder of the HALFA non-profit organization, which has been saving the lives of women in Africa since 2012. She is a TEDx speaker, giving a groundbreaking talk on how our emotions can be leveraged to heal. Her commitment to the field has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including conducting research at the National Cancer Institute on malaria and breast cancer genomics.
Dr. Gueye-Weinstein's passion for global health led her to pioneer the "see and treat" cervical dysplasia method used in resource-poor settings worldwide. This groundbreaking project was initiated while she was still in medical school, demonstrating her dedication to making a significant impact.
Dr. Gueye-Weinstein's dedication, diverse skill set, and comprehensive approach to healthcare make her a leading figure in the field of OBGYN. Patients can expect exceptional, personalized care from a physician who truly goes above and beyond for her patients' well-being and overall health.
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PhD (doctoral) Public Health student
Julia Mandeville (nee Welch) earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with Microbiology from the University of West Indies, Cave Hill Campus (2010). She also holds a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Global Health from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. Julia is a PhD (doctoral) Public Health student, specializing in Social and Behavioral Sciences at George Mason University (GMU) in the United States of America. In 2014, she received her diagnosis of severe endometriosis, which was determined to be the underlying cause for the multiple academic and career disruptions she experienced due to chronic debilitating pain.
In 2016, Julia co-founded the Barbados Association of Endometriosis & P.C.O.S. (BAEP) to use her public health training to increase awareness and encourage earlier diagnosis and intervention for endometriosis and related conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome. Her work focuses on community engagement and education as well as evaluating outcomes for the individual and the community related to stigma, stereotypes, psychosocial health, menstrual health and hygiene management, and fertility.
As a graduate researcher, she has focused much of her research and public health intervention efforts on investigating endometriosis in underserved populations, Black women in particular because the disease is not well studied in this population. Black patients with endometriosis often experience up to a three-year longer delay in diagnosis compared to White patients. They also are subject to more open surgeries and subsequently worse surgical outcomes. More specifically, she is investigating inequities in exposures and outcomes in conjunction with seeking to explore the impact of racism, sexism, stigma, and other barriers to diagnosis, among persons from communities of color and the Caribbean.
Holistic Approach to Endometriosis Management
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Physician and Scientist
Dr. Larissa Assam is a Family Medicine physician, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. She is the Founder of RopheMD, a global concierge medicine private practice on a mission to keep millions in excellent health until 100 years of age, by providing Presidential-style comprehensive primary care and holistic health services.
She is also the Founder of Rophe Beauty, the only physician-founded and formulated all-natural international beauty and pageantry enterprise producing luxury all-natural skincare products and hosting events that celebrate women who have overcome a history of trauma through biblical Principles.
She was born and raised in Cameroon where in she was called into medicine at age 7 after her father was involved in a ghastly car accident and the passion for entrepreneurship was fostered.
She is an alumnus of SUNY Oswego, SUNY Upstate Medical University & Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She completed Family Medicine Residency at the Georgetown-Washington Hospital Center Family Medicine program where she received several awards for outstanding patient care and teaching Georgetown medical students. Dr. Assam worked as Strategy Consultant at McKinsey & Company helping Fortune 500 companies solve complex business problems.
She is passionate about beauty, entrepreneurship, teaching biblical principles to help people prevent and reverse chronic disease, and raise the next generation of physicians.
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Holistic Health Practitioner
Known as the “Endo Educator”, Samantha Denäe, CHHP, is a certified holistic feminine wellness practitioner & counselor, Endometriosis advocate, survivor, and educator. As the owner of Samantha Denâe, LLC, Samantha creates holistic herbal products, yoni steam blends, teas and incense all in the aid of healing reproductive disorders and to assist with the balancing of the sacral chakra. Her “ENtouch Womb Detox Capsules” are a special blend of herbs that was created to help heal her endometriosis & is suited for healing stagnant blood flow and tissue in the uterine cavity thus creating a healthier period. Samantha also provides spiritual services in the forms of yoni steaming, guided trauma meditation sessions, reiki infused reflexology & massages services with the goal of unlearning to learn and love your womb.
In Samantha’s spare time, she educates high school students on period and reproductive health and how to advocate for themselves with doctors and family. Additionally, as a womb motivational speaker, Sanantha provides her audience with a real life look at trauma and how it plays a role in your health and physical ailments, and how to begin the healing. She is your guide & motivation to having a happy, healthy womb.
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Endometriosis Excision Surgeon
Dr. Melissa McHale, M.D., is a gynecologic surgeon and endometriosis excision specialist practicing in Bethesda, MD at Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine. She grew up in Washington, DC, and feels passionately about providing outstanding endometriosis care in the DMV. Dr. McHale attended Boston University School of Medicine and completed her OB/GYN residency at Johns
Hopkins before completing a two-year fellowship with Dr. Andrea Vidali, a world-renowned surgeon specializing in endometriosis, miscarriage, and reproductive immunology. Dr McHale’s focus is on surgical management of endometriosis for both pain management and fertility.
Breakout Session Two
Research and Innovation in Endometriosis
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Youth Advisory Committee
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) was developed to ensure that the experiences and perspectives of Black and Latina adolescent girls who have endometriosis are incorporated directly into the development of a serious gaming health intervention to increase empathy and reduce stigma associated with endometriosis.
Pelvic Floor Therapy & Endometriosis
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Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Fertility Doula, Birth Doula
Sonya Worthy Okolo, PT is a native of Asheville, NC. As a graduate of University of Maryland Baltimore, she has over 25 years of experience and loves what she does! After her own (O.A.S.I.S.) birth trauma, an interest was sparked in pelvic floor therapy with dreams of better for herself and others…a place of ease, prevention, and recovery. She is the founder of Oasis PT & Pelvic Health with offices in Columbia, MD and Bethesda, MD.
Sonya has extensive postgraduate pelvic health training and specializes in treating chronic pelvic pain, infertility, bladder, bowel, and sexual health conditions. Her multi-system skill set includes functional & sports-specific training, advanced manual therapy including Visceral Mobilization, Myofascial Release, and Osteopathic Joint Mobilization. Also, as a trained Fertility & Birth Doula, a spectrum of care is available from pre-conception, pregnancy, and beyond. She is the only Pelvic Floor Therapist certified in Mercier Therapy in the DMV area.
Using a holistic model, Sonya is intuitively led as she applies evidence-based care to address the “drivers” of symptoms. She is a strong believer in the mind-body connection and supports an integrative approach to healthcare with multi-disciplinary collaboration. Born out of personal experience, Oasis offers a safe, nurturing environment with a whole-body focus from a trauma informed perspective.
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Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Brita is a board-certified physical therapist and pelvic pain specialist. She is a Northern Virginia native who is driven by a passion for helping others achieve their optimal health and well-being. She has always had a love for helping people and understands firsthand what it's like to be a patient.
Throughout her 17-year career, Brita has become proficient in multiple modalities. She believes strongly in hands-on manual methods and takes a patient-centered, holistic approach to physical therapy. Her passion is women's health—particularly pelvic pain, endometriosis, bladder and sexual dysfunction, and postpartum care.
Brita graduated from George Mason University with a BA in psychology. She then went on to graduate from Marymount University to become a physical therapist. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, and the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS).
Meet our Panelist
Thriving with Endometriosis
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Entrepreneur
April Harper embarked on her entrepreneurial journey inspired by her personal battle with endometriosis. Alongside her husband, she co-founded Harp Vision with the mission of providing all-natural solutions to enhance well-being. April is dedicated to understanding the intricate relationship between chronic pain, brain health, and skin quality. Beyond offering products, their commitment extends to building a thriving community that prioritizes holistic health.
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Public Health Analyst/ Small Business Owner
Meet Natalie A. Solomon-Brimage, the resilient founder of Meraki Life & Style, LLC, propelled by two decades of triumph over chronic pain and a relentless pursuit of self-actualization. Diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis almost 25 years ago, Natalie transforms her journey into a testament of strength.
From agonizing years since she was finally diagnosed in college at the age of 19, to enduring 20+ OB/GYN consultations, 5+ surgeries, and a challenging hysterectomy decision, Natalie faces each hurdle with unwavering resilience. Battling one 10cm fibroid and multiple smaller ones, severe Adenomyosis, and an unexpected diagnosis like Craniopharyngioma, a rare brain tumor, she persists as an EndoWarrior.
Natalie is not just sharing her story; she's amplifying the voices of those navigating chronic pain. Join her in shedding light on the realities of Endometriosis, advocating for awareness, and providing vital resources. Despite the hardships, Natalie radiates positivity—proof that she doesn't merely endure; she triumphs.